Pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery must be considered i
n the differential diagnosis of masses of the lateral forehead and tem
poral fossa. While the first reported case of a temporal artery aneury
sm was reported by Thomas Bartholin in 1740, there is scant mention of
this lesion in the plastic and maxillofacial surgical literature. Pse
udoaneurysms can arise in the forehead and scalp as a result of blunt
traumatic impingement of the superficial temporal artery against the c
alvarium. The anterior branch of the artery is most vulnerable, becaus
e in the lateral forehead it courses over the frontal osseous ridge in
the galea aponeurotica formed by the fusion line of the deep and supe
rficial temporalis muscle fascia. This dense fascial investment has a
tethering effect in the gap between the temporalis and frontalis muscl
es and prevents the artery from displacing laterally in response to tr
aumatic forces, A history of recent blunt trauma or surgery to the for
ehead, combined with a pulsatile bruit, should direct the physician to
the diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery. T
reatment is surgical resection of the involved segment without the nee
d for reconstruction. This report includes a review of the literature
and presents the first documented case of a bicycle helmet as the caus
e of a superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysm.